Project Information Sheet

Woodland Star (Acorn) Trail Realignment

Arastradero Preserve (Palo Alto, CA)
Spring 2002

Background

The trails in Arastradero Preserve receive heavy use
from all visitors during every season. Due to the heavy
clay soils and drainage patterns, many of the trails are
especially vulnerable to damage and require frequent
maintenance. Typical problems include ponding and ruts due
to lack of proper drainage, berms on the outside of trails
and lack of tread definition. The Woodland Star (Acorn)
Trail is no exception, with soil problems compounded by
poor layout.

Woodland Star (Acorn) Trail (March 9, Apr.
21, May 11): We will realign a section of the
Woodland Star (formerly Acorn) Trail between the road from
Gate C (Meadowlark) and the water tank utility road. The
existing trail is steep, vulnerable to erosion and
challenging even under dry conditions. The grade exceeds
30% in some areas. The reroute will move this segment to
the east and north.

Detailed Description: The new
alignment uses the approximately 350 feet of existing
Woodland Star Trail from the Meadowlark Trail junction at
near Gate C down to the edge of the meadow at the large oak
trees. The trail curves sharply back to the left and drops
off the ridge, heading toward a switchback above the
drainage. The trail parallels the drainage, crosses the
disk line, and enters the woods. After a second switchback
near the existing trail, the new trail crosses the drainage
and follows the drainage to the existing trail.
Approximately half the new trail will be in oak woods.

Following completion of
the reroute, the old trail will be closed and restored to
natural conditions. The new trail will be closed to all
users during the winter of 2002/2003 to prevent erosion.
Due to the soil conditions, the trail is not expected to be
open during wet conditions, but may be open to hikers only
beginning winter 2003/2004.

Technical Specifications:

Trail Width: 4 ft.

Maximum Grade: 10% for new
construction; existing grade for maintenance